News article
Australian volleyball: ‘A culture of fear and punishment’
An independent review from Sport Integrity Australia around the experience of elite volleyball players has found that there was a culture of fear and punishment, a lack of an adequate complaints handling procedure and more.
While the world’s best athletes compete at Paris 2024, Volleyball Australia published the final report on the culture of volleyball between 1997 and 2005. In October 2020, a number of elite volleyball players assisted by the Australian Athletes Alliance (AAA) and Volleyball Australia (VA) commissioned Sport Integrity Australia to conduct an independent review to investigate volleyball players’ experiences and ensure they receive appropriate support; provide those who wish to maintain a relationship with volleyball a safe way to do so; and improve current and future practice, policy and governance to ensure safety, wellbeing and empowerment.
The report follows similar investigations from Gymnastics Australia and Swimming Australia.
The material included in the volleyball review was collected between April and November 2021, with 27 interviewees and 16 written submissions received.
“We are deeply sorry for the ongoing effects these experiences have had on your life, and on your relationship with the sport of volleyball and with Volleyball Australia."
Based on the information obtained during the review process, Sport Integrity Australia identified several key findings from the review of the Women’s Indoor Volleyball Programme (The Programme) between 1997 and 2005. These included: a culture of fear and punishment, unacceptable training practices, an inadequate complaints handling procedure, a lack of coach accountability, and limited athlete support.
Following the publication of the report, Volleyball Australia apologised to players that were part of the team who were based at the Australian Institute of Sport between 1997 and 2005, who were as young as 14.
“We have heard that you experienced an environment of fear, unacceptable and punitive training practices, a lack of coach accountability, coaches disregarding advice from medical and performance support staff, limited athlete support and inadequate complaint handling mechanisms,” said a statement.
“We are deeply sorry for the ongoing effects these experiences have had on your life, and on your relationship with the sport of volleyball and with Volleyball Australia.
“We unreservedly apologise for that harm.”